Best Lightweight Stroller Reviews & Ultimate Buying Guide 2018

If you go online and search for best lightweight strollers, you’ll be confronted with many choices. How do you know which one is best for you and your family? Fortunately for you, we’ve done the legwork in researching and testing lightweight strollers to give you the best options. From trusted baby blogs to Consumer Reports, we’ve consulted many experts to give you the most thorough review on lightweight strollers.

When you have a baby, people are full of advice. However, one thing they don’t often tell you is that you’ll end up with two strollers. One full-sized one for your regular use, and a lightweight one that is ideal for travel and being on-the-go.

What is the Best Lightweight Stroller?

A lightweight stroller is sometimes referred to as an umbrella stroller. Its appeal comes from its low weight, easy portability, and compact foldability. Lightweight strollers are often the preferred product for airplane travel, or if you live in a big city that requires you to go up and down subway stairs. Lightweight strollers are often cheaper than full-sized strollers, but they also sometimes lack some of the same features to help reduce their weight. With lightweight strollers, you are trading features for convenience and small size. They are typically best for smoother paths and city sidewalks, so if you’re interested in a lightweight stroller, don’t plan on taking it for jogs or to the beach.

Who Uses Lightweight Strollers?

After using a heavy, full-featured stroller for a period, many moms and dads are ready to swap it out for a lightweight umbrella stroller that they can easily toss into their car trunk or check onto an airplane. Parents who live in cities that require walking up and down subway stairs need a lightweight stroller that is easy to carry. Many parents are busy and on-the-go, and a lightweight stroller allows them to easily get out of the house and keep up with the demands of life.

What are the things I should consider while buying the best lightweight strollers?

When it comes time to choose the best lightweight stroller for you and your child, there are a few important things to take into consideration. Once you’ve considered the following things, you’ll be better equipped to decide which is best stroller for you.

Size & Weight

If you’re in the market for a lightweight stroller, you probably want something smaller and more convenient than what you already have, so size and weight are two important factors in your choice. Even with the designation of “lightweight stroller,” many of the options still vary widely in size and weight. You’ll want to consider how you’ll be using the stroller to know what size and weight work best for your needs. Keep in mind that there is a noticeable difference between an eight-pounds stroller and a 14-pound one, so while both would be considered “lightweight,” there is quite a big difference between the two.

For example, if you’re in a busy city, you’ll want your stroller to be small and easily foldable to navigate busy sidewalks and carry when you get on public transport. If you want a stroller that’s easy to get in and out of the car for trips to the park, the zoo, or the mall, you might be happy with a stroller that’s lightweight but also has some extra features like storage space and cupholders. Keep your car’s trunk size in mind when choosing a stroller, since you’ll want to be sure it fits easily.

Additional Features

Depending on how long you’ll be using your best lightweight stroller, you might benefit from some extra features. If you know you’ll be out and about for long stretches of time; a reclining seat makes napping on the go possible. Cup holders for snacks and sunshades for UV protection are also great features if you’ll be taking long journeys. Think about why you need a lightweight stroller, and that will help you determine what features you’ll want included to ensure it meets the needs of your family and is convenient and easy to use.

Budget

One of the easiest ways to narrow down the best lightweight stroller options is to set a budget for your purchase. Paired with the additional features you know you need and the size that works best for you, you should be left with just a handful of lightweight strollers to choose from that will work for your family. Fortunately, most lightweight strollers fall into a very affordable price range, so you can get exactly what you want without breaking the bank.

Other Things to Consider

Make sure the seat construction is good. While you might be willing to give up some features, you don’t want to sacrifice quality for size when it comes to your baby’s comfort.

Check the wheels to make sure they’ll swivel with ease. best Lightweight strollers are often required for easier navigation, and the wheels have a big part to do with that.

Check the materials used to make sure they are durable and comfortable. Lightweight strollers are usually cheaper, but you still want to make sure it’ll last you at least until your child grows out of it.

Top Six Best Lightweight Stroller Reviews

After testing several products and consulting with experts, we’ve narrowed the search for the best lightweight stroller down to the following six products.

1. Chicco Liteway Plus Stroller

The Chicco Liteway Plus Stroller is a two-in-one system that operates as both a car seat carrier and a toddler stroller. The stroller works with any Chicco KeyFit car seat. The silver color is the one we reviewed, but it is also available in five other color combinations.

Unlike many lightweight strollers, it can be used from newborn, with the car seat compatibility, up to 50 pounds.

Seat adjusts with one hand and reclines to five positions to allow for on-the-go naps.

Folds compactly and features a carry handle for easy portability.

Rolls easily and smoothly on practically all surfaces, and it is easy to navigate in busy areas.

Open and closes with the push of a pedal.

Easily accessible storage bag in both car seat and toddler mode.

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Does not have a snack bar for toddlers to keep their snacks or drinks.

The canopy is a little too short to fully cover your child.

Converting to toddler mode isn’t a one-step process.

Must have a Chicco KeyFit car seat to use in infant mode.

2. Joovy Groove Ultralight Lightweight Travel Umbrella Stroller

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The Joovy Groove Ultralight Lightweight Travel Umbrella Stroller is a light yet full-featured stroller that is available in six colors. The stroller has many features that make it great for families on the go.

The aluminum construction makes the stroller ultra lightweight and easy to carry.

Non-pinch hinges ensure no accidents with little fingers.

Children can nap comfortably in the multi-position reclining seat.

Features a large storage basket so you can take along your belongings.

Convenient carry strap is on the left side, so it doesn’t bang into your legs when you walk.

The frame does not bend even with a heavier child.

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The stroller is not car seat compatible, so it can’t be used with a newborn.

Does not have a snack bar for holding your child’s snacks and drinks.

Requires a bit of force to fold and unfold the stroller.

3. Summer Infant 2015 3D Lite Convenience Stroller

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One of the more budget-friendly options is the Summer Infant 3D Lite Convenience Stroller. The stroller is available in black, as well as eight other trendy colors. It is a best lightweight stroller that is still durable to stand up to use and time.

The all-aluminum frame makes the stroller ultra lightweight and durable.

Parents with their hands full can easily carry the stroller.

Multi-position recline allows for naps.

Extra-large storage basket holds big diaper bags and purses.

Flip out sun visor protects baby from 99.9% of sun’s rays.

Includes a cup holder for parent’s drinks.

Seat and harness are padded for extra comfort.

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No snack bar for your child’s treats or drink.

The stroller does not stand on its own when it’s folded.

Some parents complained that the cup holder does not function very well.

Taller children may have to keep their feet on the footrest, or they’ll touch the ground.

4. UPPAbaby G-Luxe Stroller

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Coming in on the higher end of the price range, the UPPAbaby 2015 G-Luxe Stroller justifies its price tag by being loaded with features without being bulky. The lightweight UPPAbaby G-Luxe offers full functionality without weighing you down.

5. Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Stroller

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Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Stroller, Fuchsia

One of the lightest and most affordable lightweight strollers on the market is the Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Stroller. Along with fuchsia, the stroller comes in Fire Red. This best lightweight stroller is designed for mobility and offers the features of a full-sized stroller in a compact package.

Lightweight and compact fold are perfect for car travel and vacations.

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The stroller is not car seat compatible for newborns.

Cup holders don’t hold larger sized cups.

Fabric cannot be detached for cleaning.

The seat doesn’t have much padding.

6. Graco LiteRider Classic Connect Stroller

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The Graco LiteRider Classic Connect Stroller is a full travel system that is compatible with all Graco Click Connect car seats. This stroller gives you all of the benefits of a full-sized stroller at a lighter weight.

Plenty of storage with the storage basket, parent’s tray with cupholders, and removable child’s tray.

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Can only use as a travel system if you have a Graco Click Connect car seat.

Not self-standing when it is folded.

Some parents felt that it was not as easy to unfold as other options.

Safety Tips for Using the Best Lightweight Stroller

Always have your child buckled in using the three or five-point harness. Even if your child is going to be in the stroller for a short time, or if they fall asleep, the harness straps should always be used. They keep your child from climbing out of the seat or falling.

When the stroller is stationary, be sure to use the wheel brakes. A stroller can roll away even on the seemingly level ground, and the brakes will keep it in place. Use the brakes when you get your child in and out of the seat, too.

Never leave your child unattended in the stroller. It may seem ok especially if they are sleeping, but children can hurt themselves in any situation.

Be sure to properly store your belongings in the stroller. Utilize the storage areas instead of hanging bags from the stroller’s handle, which can cause the stroller to tip over.

Make sure your child is away from the stroller as you open it and close it. While some strollers feature child-safe hinges, not all of them do, and little fingers could easily get pinched.

Don’t let your stroller sit in the sun for long periods of time. The fabric can get very hot, and plastic and metal pieces can even get hot enough to burn your child. If you do leave the stroller in the sun, check the temperature before you place your baby in it.

Final Verdict

When it comes to choosing the best lightweight stroller, you’ll have to choose the right combination of size, features, and price for your needs. With our six options that range in price and features, we’re confident that one of them will meet all of your needs. While they all have a few downsides, we feel that the features and the benefits far outweigh any cons, and you will be happy with any of the lightweight strollers on our list.